After what most people would have deemed an acceptable start with a losing bonus point away to French millionaires Racing Metro 92 the Tigers now face the other French team in their European Champions Cup group, Castres, at Welford Road.

Whilst a losing bonus point was a decent result to open the competition, and keeps the Tigers in the mix, certainly nothing other than a home win will do against what is probably the weakest team in the group – albeit a very strong group!

Indeed, as well as a win there will be plenty with a four-try bonus point on their wish-list if the Tigers are to progress.

Read More

As stated, inspite of a healthy pedigree Castres are probably the weakest team in the group. They have already surrendered a home draw to Munster, and even in that game the Frenchmen were on the back foot for long periods.

The fact they salvaged a draw speaks well for their spirit, but the reality is that the Tigers will need to make home advantage tell in the second week of the competition. Castres lie 11th in the Top 14 and have won only two games from the seven played, both of those, predictably, at home.

Meanwhile, Leicester are in a reasonable run of form, and have picked up considerably from the start of the season. They will be without Mike Williams – a victim of the vagaries of the citing system – but otherwise appear to be relatively healthy outside the long-term injured.

Read More

Whilst the Tigers backs are mouthwatering with Ford and Toomua pulling the strings, the old adage that forwards win games still holds true and the Tigers pack will have to hold their typically large French opponents and then move them around as the game goes on.

Steve Mafi, with the visitors, will be well used to the Welford Road environment and there is no doubt that the Leicester team will be hoping that Saturday turns into one of those games where the home fans genuinely turn up and apply pressure to the opposition and officials from the start.

If Tigers can start well and, crucially, maintain discipline and accuracy there is no reason that they can't claim the desired bonus point and go into the first mini-break in the competition in a healthy state. After last season how great would that be?